Rotary bit



Dec. 5, 1933. A. E. CARLSON 1,938,246

ROTARY BIT Filed Oct. 51, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l [NVE/v ro/e:

An ony Car/50a, 5y Y 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 5, 1933. A. E. CARLSON ROTARY BITy Filed oct. s1, 1952 5d w O 4, 6 m 7 3 m I imwmmmulwmww. N: I F Y. 5 W

Patented Dec. 5, 1933 (CT. 255ml@ Application 3l,

ifi

invention relates to' rotary drilling devices elates particularly toa rotary oit having a oveble 'liead supported at tlie lower end oi a "^o"y. f

. lt is an objeet oi the invention to provide a f with a cutter liead detaeliably secured til reto in a snnple and sturdy manner, tire body leaving reamer recesses formed therein, tlie lower e .es of which recesses provide openings for rea connecting ieli extends upy from tlie cutter liead.

the invention is to provide ze character in Wlfncli the upper tive reliioveble euter head forms a an for the rearner recesses and may serve .-.s for seeming tlie reamer elements in the s, so that tlie removal oi the cutter liead e 1oit 'body also releases the reainer elets so that they may oe removed from tlie recesses, so that tl'ie operation ci sen tlie Acutteroead in engagement with tile loafer end of tlie loit .'oedy results also in looking the reame;1 elements in the reamer recesses.

it is a further object oi trie invention to nrovide e rotary drill oit having roller type reamer elements ysupported in roller bearings, whereby to maintain a :tree rotation-oi the reairiers during the operation ci' the drill oit and @consequently to avoid tlietiolring oi tiie rea-nner elements, whereupon they quickly become worn ilat and tend to bind the oit in the noie, especially Where rock formations are being `penetrated.

il; further object oi the invention is to provide a drill bit having a reamer structure oi simple` iorin in which trie reamer elements are received in reazner recesses formed by use o an opening extending diainetraliy through the bit or reainer body, and in which the bearings for the i'earner elements are located in tiie ends oi the plates which extend diametrally across 'the 7body.

'Further objects and advantages oi tlie ini/enetion will be set iortii in the following part of tne specification.

Referring to tl'iedrawings, Wliicli are For il lustrative 'purposes orly,

Fi. 'i is a partly sectioned elevational view showing a preferred embodiment of my 'new sie.

Fig. 2 is a partly sectioned side view correspending to Fig. l.

Fig. is a cross section one. plane represente by the lirieB--B of Fig. 2.

l is a fragmentary vertical section showtary Toit leaving e. body ci simple rand durable' ing how tlie reamer elements may be secured in tne reamer recesses solely by use of the diametrally extending plates.

5 is a. fragmentary, vertically sectioned view showing an alternative meansfor securing the reamer elements.

Fig. 6 is e, cross section on a plane represented oy the line @-'S of Fig. 5.A

As shown in Figs. l and 2, i. provide a bit body ll lie-.ving internally threaded cylindrical ,box i2 at its upper end adapted for engagement with e tlneaded 'loin i3 on the lower end or a string oi drill pipe or drill collar le.

Extending downwardly from the nox or fitting 'l2 is a flat oody portion l5 having a thickness,

as shown in l, substantially equal to the diameter of tl'ie loox l2 and having a width, as shown in 2, somewhat greater than tlie diameter of the ioox l2, this iiattened forni ci body providing witliin tlie Well le keine; drilled relatively large 'spaces lo adjacent tlie ilat faces i7 oi the body i through which cuttings and drilling fluid upwardly. E ing upwardly from the lower end o il, an open slot is out or ier-ined in a. diree= tion parallel totlie side l? oi the body il., thereby forming in the lower portion o" body il a pair of 'downwardly projecting legs or plates 2l. Removably secured to the lower end of tiie body 1i is a cutter liead 22 having an upwardly 4projecting wall or extension 23 of suoli lateral dimension that it will :dt tween the lower ends 2e of theflegs or plate.; there being horizontal-grooves or channels 25 formed in the head 22 adjacent the sides oi tire extension 23 in which the lower ends oi the legs 2l rest when the cutter head is secured to tile oody il, as shown in Figs. l. and 2, to prevent spreading 012 the legs 21 under torsional strains should the nuts 25 of bolts 27 become loosened from any cause. "lwo oi the bolts .27 may "oe provided as shown, tloese bolts extending through openings 28 in tlie lower portions ci the plates 2l. and 'in the extension 23 oi the cutter head 22.

in this embodiment of the invention l have shown the cutter need 22 in cylindrical forni with roller type rock cutters 30 and 3l secured thereto in position to penetrate dovrnwardlyand thereby produce desired drilling operation. The cutter iieedgii is provided with passa-gee 32 and 33 for the delivery. oi drilling iiuid or mud to the cutters 3@ and 3l..

For. the delivery of drilling fluid from tiie lower end of drilling string 14. to the up er ends of the passages 32 and 33, I provide a tubular member 34 which extends downwardly in centralized position through the space or slot 20 between the legs 21. The extension 23 of the cutter head 22 is provided with a counterbore 35 of a size to closely lit the lower end of the tubular member 34, the upper ends of the passages 32 and 33 communicating with the bottom of the counterbore 35 and consequently with the lower end of the tubular member 34. The upper end of the member 34 passes through an axial opening 36 between the interior of the box 12 and the upper end of the slot or space 20, there preferably being a threaded engagement of the upper end of the tubular member 34 with the wall'of the opening 36, as shown at 37, so that the tubular member 34 can, by rotation, be threaded tightly downwardly into the counterbore 35. If desired, an annular gasket 40 may be employed to seal the lower end of the tubular member 34.

The portions of the slot or opening 20 lying on opposite sides of the tubular member 34, as shown in Fig. 3, provide reamer recessesA 41 having lower end walls formed by the extension 23 of the cutter head 22. A further feature of the invention is that the securing of the cutter head 22 to the lower end of the bit body, as previously described, may operate to prevent loss of the reamer elements from the reamer recesses 41, and to illustrate this feature of the invention I have in Fig. 2 shown roller type reamers 42 having shaft extensions or trunnions 43 and 44 extending respectively from the upper and lower ends thereof. The extremities of these trunnions 43 and 44 extend into pockets 45 and 46 formed respectively inthe upper wall of the slot or recess 20 and in the upper end face v of the extension 23 by which the cutter head 22 is secured to the lower ends of the legs or plates 21. The trunnions or shaft extensions 43 and 44 are carried in roller bearings 47 consisting of roller members 48 preferably of cylindrical form, as shown in Fig. 2, operating in races or cylindrical openings 50 formed in the ends of ilat, laterally and horizontally extending plates 51 and 52 disposed at the upper and lower ends of the slot or opening 20. As shown in Fig. 3, the plates 51 and 52 are of rectangular form with the ends thereof rounded as indicated at 53 and of such width that they closely t between the inner faces 54 of the plates 2l.

,Each of the plates 51 and 5 2 has an opening 55 therein of a diameter less than the width of the plate, through which the tubular member 34 extends, the tubular member thusgserving as a means for holding the plates 5l and 52 against lateral movement so that under ordinary use of the bit the engagement of the plates 5l and 52 by the tubular member 34 serves as a means for holding the reamer rollers 42 in operating positions in their respective reamer recesses 4l. Should there be a breakage of the walls 57, Fig. 3, so that the end portions of the plates 51 and 52 would tend 'to slide outwardly in the reamer recesses 41, the engagement of the extremities of the trunnions 43 and 44 with the pockets 45 and 46 would then serve to prevent loss of the reamer rollers 42, and the bearings by which they are supported, from the recesses 41.

The bearing means for supporting the reamer rollers 42 are of simple form. rIhe races or cylindrical openings 50, in which the roller bearing members 48 operate, are closed at their lower ends by integrally formed anges 60, and are closed at their upper ends by relatively thin plates 61 secured to the upper faces of the plates 51 and 52. In the use of the simple drilling tool disclosed, the removal of the bolts 27 makes possible the removal of the cutter head 22 and the reamer rollers 42 with their associated bearings 47 and the securing plates 51, 52, and 61,

whereby the operations required to replace the worn parts of the bit are made very simple.

As shown in Fig. 4, the trunnions 43 and 44 may be shortened, and the recesses 45 and 46 may be omitted so that the engagement of the plates 51 and 52 by the tubular member 34 may serve as the sole means for holding the reamer devices in operative position in the reamer recesses 41. The construction shown in Fig. 2 is preferable, however, since two means for preventing loss of the reamer devices are provided: first, the engagement of the plates 51 and 52 by the tubular member 34, and second, the projection of the trunnions 43 and 44 into the pockets 45 and 46. In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 4, the reamers may be' removed from the reamer recesses without the necessity of removing the cutter head 22 by unscrewing the tubular member 34 so that the openings 55 of the plates 5l and 52 will be disengaged, and the plates 51 and 52 with the reamer rollers 42 may be slid in lateral direction from the opening 20. A new assembly of parts may then be inserted in the opening 20 and locked therein in operative position by replacing the tubular member 34 so that such tubular member will extend through the openings 55 in the plates 5l and 52 of the new assembly of parts.

Relative to the feature of my invention concerning the holding of the reamer devices in the reamer recesses in consequence of the securing of the cutter head 22 to the lower end of the bit body, I have in Figs. 5 and 6 shown a roller 42' supported in bearing blocks 65 and 66, the inner ends 67 of which engage the surface 68 of the tubular member 34 so that the inward movement of such blocks is thereby prevented. The blocks 65 and 66-have interlocking engagement with the upper and lower walls of the reamer recesses 41, such inter-engagement being shown in the engagement of pins 70 which project from the upper and lower walls of the bearing recesses 4i. into companion openings 7l in the bearing blocks. The lower opening 71 projects upwardly from the upper face of the extension 23 of the cutter head 22. The removal of the cutter head for the purpose of its replacement disengages the lower pin 70 from its cooperating opening 7l and also permits a downward movement of the reamer roller 42 and the upper bearing block 65 so that the upper bearing block may be disengaged from the upper pin 70.

Although I have herein shown and described my invention in simple and practical form, it is recognized that certain parts or elements thereof are representative of other parts, elements, or mechanisms which may be used in substantially the same manner to accomplish substantially the same results; therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the following claims'.

I claim as my invention:

l. A rotary bit of the character described, including: a body having meansat its upper end for connecting it to a string of drill pipe, said body having a pair of flat legs extending down- -uid from the upper part of wardly in parallel relation so as to form a recess open at its sides and at its lower end; a cutter head having ran extension projecting upwardly therefrom so as to fit between the lower ends of said legs, there being fluid discharge passages extending downwardly within said head from said extension; a tubular member extending substantially vertically from the upper part of said body .and centrally through said recess into engagement with said extension, to deliver ldrilling uid from the upper part of said body to the fluid passages ofsaid head; means extending laterally through the lower ends of said legs andsaid extension for securing said head to said body; and reamer elements mounted in said recess above said extension and on opposite sides of said tubular member.

2. A rotary bit of the character described, including: a body having means at its upper end for connecting it to a string of drill pipe, said body having a pair of ilat legs extending downwardly in parallel relation so`as to form a recess open at its sides and at its lower end; a cutter head having an extension projecting upwardly therefrom so as to t between the lower ends of said legs, there being fluid` discharge passages extending downwardly within said head from said extension; a tubular member extending substantially vertically from the upper part of said body and centrally through said recess into engagement with said extension, to deliver drilling uid from the upper part of said body to the fluid passages of said head; means extending laterally through the lower ends of said legs and said extension for securing said head to said body; reamer elements mounted in said recess above said extension and on opposite sides of said tubular member; and means associated with said head for providing an engagement with said reamer elements when said head is secured to said body to prevent removal of said reamer elements from said recess.

3. A rotary bit of the character described, including: a body having means at its upper end for connecting it to a string of drill pipe, said body having a pair of iiat legs extending downwardly in parallel relation so as to form a recess open at its sides and at its lower end; a cutter head having an extension projecting upwardly therefrom so as to t between the lower ends of said legs, there being fluid discharge passages extending downwardly within said head from said extension; a tubular member extending substantially vertically from theffupper part of said body and centrally through said recess into engagement with said extension, to deliver drilling said body to the fluid passages of said head; means extending laterally through the lower ends of said legs and said extension for securing said head to said body, there being pockets in the upper part of said head to receive the lower'extremities of said legs; and reamer elements mounted in said recess above said extension and on opposite sides of said tubular member.

4. A rotary bit lof the character described, including: a body having means at its upper end for connecting it to a string of drill pipe, said body. having a pair of flat legs extending downwardly in parallel relation so as to form a recess open at lits sides and at its lower end; a cutter head 'having an extension projecting upwardly therefrom so as to fit between the lower ends of said legs, there being fluid discharge passages extending downwardly 'within said head from` said extension; aftubular member extending substantially vertically from the upper part of said body and centrally through said recess into engagement with said extension, to deliver drilling fluid from the upper.'part of said body to the iiuid passages of said head; means extending laterally through the lower ends of said legs and said extension for securing said head to 'said body, there being pockets in the upper part of said head to receive the lower extremities of said legs; reamer elements mounted in said recess above said extension and on opposite sides of said tubular member; and means associated with said head for providing an engagement with said reamer elements when said head is secured to said body to prevent removal of said reamer elements from said recess.

5. A drilling device of the character described, including: a body having means at its upper end for connecting it to a string of drill pipe, cutting means at its lower end, and a diametral opening through an intermediate portion thereof; va plate member extending through said opening, there being anopening through said plate member; a reamer member 'engaging an end of said plate member; `and a' tubular member extending vertically from an upper portion of said body to a lower part thereof, said tubular member lextending across said opening of said body and said opening of said plate member to hold said plate member in said opening of said body.

6. A drilling device of the character described, including: a body having means at its upper end for connecting it to a string of drill pipe, cutting means at its lower end, and a diametral 'opening through an intermediate portion thereof; a lateral member extending through said opening, there being an opening through said lateral member; a reamer member engaging an end of said lateral member; and a tubular member extending vertically from an upper portionv of said body to a lower part thereof, said tubular member extending across said opening of said body and said opening of said lateral member to hold said lateral member in said opening of said body.

'7. A rotary bit of the character described, including: a body having means at its upper end for connecting it to a string of drill pipe, and having a pair of legs extending down- `wardly in parallel relationto form a recess open at the sides and lower end of said body; a head adapted `to be secured to the lower ends of said legs, said head having an extension projecting upwardly between the lower extremities of said legs, there being means for securing said extension to the lower ends of said legs, said extension closing the lower end of said recess whereby to form an opening extending diametrally through said body; plates extending diametrally through said opening at the upper and lower ends thereof, the ends of said plates providing bearing means and the central portions of said plates having vertical openings therethrough; roller reamers disposed between adjacent ends of said plates and supported in adjacent bearings at the ends of said plates; and a member extending from the upper portion of said body substantially vertically through said diametral opening'and through with said head.

8. A rotary bit of the character described, including: a body having means at its upper end for connecting it to a string of drill pipe, and

tension to the lower ends of said legs, said extension closing the lower end of said recess whereby to form an opening extending diametrally through said body, and said head having uid passagesextending downwardly from said extension to deliver drilling uid to the cutting zone of the bit; plates extending diametrally through said opening at the upper and lower ends thereof, the ends of said plates providing bearing means and the central portions o'f said plates having vertical openings therethrough; roller reamers disposed between adiacent ends of said plates and supported in adjacent bearings at4 the ends of said plates; and a tubular member extending from'the upper part of said body substantially vertically through said diametral openinggand said openings in said plates, into engagement with said head to deliver drilling uid to said uid passages of said head.

9. A rotary bit of the character described, including: a body having means at its upper end l for connecting it to a string of drill pipe, and

having a pair of legs extending downwardly in parallel relation to form a recess open at the sides and lower end of said body; a head adapted to be secured to the lower ends of said legs, said head having an extension projecting upwardly between the lower extremities of said legs, there being means for securing said extension to the lower ends of said legs, said extension closing the lower end of said recess whereby to form an opening extending diametrally through said body; plates extending diametrally through said opening at the upper and lower ends thereof, the ends of said plates having cylindrical openings therein to form races for bearing rollers, there being bearing rollers in said cylindrical openings, and the central portions of said plates having vertical openings therethrough; a reaming roller mounted in each end of said diametral opening of said body, each reaming roller having trunnions projecting from the ends thereof into bearing engagement with bearing rollers in adjacent ends of said plates; and a member extending from the upper portion of said body substantially vertically through said diametral opening and through saidvertical openings in said plates into' engagement with said head.

10. A rotary bit of the character described, including: a body having means at its upper end for connecting it to a string of drill pipe, and having a pair of legs extending downwardly in parallel relation to form a recess open at the sides and lower end of saidbody; a head adapted to be secured to the lower ends of said legs, said head having an extension projecting-upwardly between the lower extremities of said legs, there being means for securing said extension to the lower ends ofl said legs, said extension closing the lower end of said recess whereby to form an opening extending diametrally through said body, and said head having uid passages extending downwardly from said extension to deliver drilling uid to the cutting zone of the bit; plates extending diametrally through said opening at the upper and lower ends thereof, the ends of said plates having cylindrical openings therein to form races for bearing rollers, there being bearing rollers in said cylindrical open" 'body substantially vertically through said diametrical opening and said vertical openings in said plates, into engagement with said head to deliver drilling fluid to said fluid passages of said head.

11. A rotary bit of the character described,

including: a body having means at its upper endA for connecting it to a string of drill pipe, and

having a pair of legs extending downwardly in' lparallel relation to form a recess open at the sides and lower end of said body; a head adapted to be secured to the lower ends of said legs, said head having an extension projecting upwardly between the lower extremities of said legs, there being means for securing said extension to the lower ends of said legs, said extension closing the lower end of said recess whereby to form an opening extending diametrally through said body; plates extending diametrally through said opening at the upper and lower ends thereof, the ends of said plates having cylindrical openings therein to form races for bearing rollers, there being bearing rollers in said cylindrical openings, and the central portions of said plates having vertical openings therethrough; a reaming roller mounted in each end of said diametral opening of said body, each reaming roller having trunnions projecting therefrom into bearing engagement with bearing rollers in adjacent ends of said plates, and through said plates into pockets formed respectively in said body and said extension of said head; and a member extending from the upper portion of said body downwardly through said diametral opening and through said vertical openings in said plates into engagement with said head.

12. A rotary bit of the character described,

including: a body havingmeans at its upper end for connecting it to a string of drill pipe, said body having a pair of legs extending downwardly in parallel relation so as to form a recess open at its sides and at its lower end; a cutter head secured to the lower ends of said legs .so that its upper wall will close the lower end of said recess, there being a fluid passage extending downwardly through said head; a tubular member extending substantially vertically from the upper part of said body and through said recess into engagement with said head, to deliver drilling fluid from the upper part of said body to the fluid passage of said head; `and reamer elements mounted in said recess above said head and on opposite sides of said tubular member.

13. A rotary bit of the character described, including: a body having means at its upper end for connecting it to a string of drill pipe, said body having a pair of legs extending downwardly in parallel relation so as to form a recess open at its side and at its lower end; a cutter head vsaid body above the lower end thereof, the inner secured to the lower ends of said legs so that its upper wall will close the lower end of said recess, there being a uid passage extending downwardly through said head; a tubular inember extending substantially vertically from the upper part of said body and through the inner part of said recess into engagement with said head, to deliver drilling fluid from the upper part of said body to the fiuidrpassage of said head; and a rea-mer element mounted in said recess.

14. A device of the character described, including: a body having means for securing it to a rotating means, there being an axial opening through said body and radial openings in 

